When I think about my camping roots, I remember my early childhood: I was fortunate enough to have a father who adored and found peace in the outdoors. He included his family in countless pursuits down dusty forest service roads, many kilometers hiking, and many nights camping in unmarked areas discovered by map. 

Back then, I distinctly recall being miserable at times, having to be dragged out of bed and being convinced that being outside would be worth it – which it always was, and for that, I’m grateful. 

With the access that my family provided me at a young age, I have grown to be hyper-aware of my surroundings and my impact on the environment around me. I too experience the outdoors as a healing place, just like my parents did. 

Here are some tips that help me with my packing list when I think about an ultimately comfortable camping experience. 

We’ve all been on camping trips where we arrive at our destination, and we ALWAYS forget the exact same things. Mine, for some reason, always include salt, extra socks and ice packs for my cooler. I have no idea why, but I just can’t seem to make it stick. As a result I’ve spent a couple cold and wet nights with bland and tasteless food. On the flip side, there are always things that enhance my experience by 100%, even if the ‘thing’ is really small and may seem insignificant. 

One substantial thing that has made a huge difference is a warm-coloured solar night light. A lot of solar lights come with white fluorescent lights by default, but there’s something about a warm, yellow lightbulb - regardless of being outdoors - that makes you feel at home and cozy. 

Another comfort classic is a good cooking stove. If you can’t have a fire, making a warm hearty meal over a stovetop really changes the mood of the evening. Spending time with friends or family cooking a meal is something that always feels special and intimate. On top of this (even though I’m notorious for forgetting ice packs), having a reliable cooler that keeps your already cold food fresh for hours and is bear-safe is a huge bonus: it saves having to shove food in your backpack wherever it can fit, and potentially risking it exploding all over your clothes (hehe).

Lastly, a good sleep is everything. Whether it’s because you’re waking up the next day to conquer a peak or just to enjoy a sunny lakeside day, a solid sleep can make or break you wanting to continue to camp outdoors. Climbing into a warm sleeping bag with a nicely puffed air mattress is where my dreams are made. There’s nothing like putting on fresh socks (when I remember them) and crawling into a nice down bag and cozying up for the night.

If you set it up hours before bed, you’ll be able to give it a last couple of puffs once it’s deflated a bit in the cold air, rather than waking up in the middle of the night with a slightly deflated air mat.  Sleep well!